2019 election: EU announces plans as observers arrive Nigeria

The European Union &lpar;EU&rpar; has deployed a high-level election observation mission to monitor the General Elections in Nigeria&period;

Mr Federica Mogherini&comma; High Representative of EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy&semi; and Vice-President of the EU Commission&comma; made the announcement in a statement on Friday in Abuja&period;

Mogherini said that EU had appointed Maria Arena as the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission &lpar;EU EOM&rpar; for the elections scheduled for Feb&period; 16 and March 2&period;

He disclosed that the deployment of the observation mission followed an invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission&period;

He said the EU had consistently followed electoral processes and deployed an EOM to Nigeria’s general elections since 1999&comma; reflecting its long-term commitment to supporting credible&comma; transparent and inclusive elections in the country&period;

“As Africa’s largest economy and a key political and economic player in West Africa&comma; Nigeria is an important partner for the EU&period;

“The EU is committed to supporting Nigeria’s path towards stronger democracy and further political stability&comma; building on the 2015 General Elections&period;

“I am confident that the deployment of an EU EOM&comma; under the leadership of Chief Observer Maria Arena&comma; will contribute to an inclusive and transparent electoral process&comma;’’ he said

He also disclosed that Election Observation Mission Core Team of 11 EU election analysts&comma; had arrived Nigeria on Jan&period; 4&comma; and would stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process&period;

He said that the Core Team would be joined by 40 long-term observers&comma; who will be deployed across the country later this month&period;

“The European Union’s Election Observation Mission looks forward to cooperating with other international and domestic observation missions

“Shortly after both election days&comma; the mission will issue preliminary statements during press conferences in Abuja&period;

“A final report&comma; including recommendations for future electoral processes&comma; will be presented at a later stage&comma; after the finalisation of the electoral process&comma;” he said&period;

The statement also quoted Arena as saying it is a great honour for him to lead this important Mission to Nigeria&period;

“I hope that our observation will provide meaningful contribution to the electoral and democratic process in Nigeria&comma;” he said&period;